Nurse Practitioner vs Physician (General Practice): Which Pays More?
Side-by-side salary comparison by city, experience level, and career growth outlook. Data reflects current market rates.
Nurse Practitioner
Provide advanced nursing care including diagnosing and treating conditions.
Physician (General Practice)
Diagnose and treat a wide range of acute and chronic medical conditions.
Physician (General Practice) earns more on average — the national median is $111,880/year (85%) higher than a Nurse Practitioner. However, salaries vary significantly by city, employer, and experience level — see the city-by-city breakdown below.
Nurse Practitioner vs Physician (General Practice) — Salary by City
National median figures in USD across top cities.
| City | Nurse Practitioner | Physician (General Practice) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $187,882 | $363,590 | Nurse $175,708 |
| New York, NY | $163,340 | $294,372 | Nurse $131,032 |
| Seattle, WA | $192,574 | $353,641 | Nurse $161,067 |
| Austin, TX | $143,940 | $272,440 | Nurse $128,500 |
| Chicago, IL | $139,454 | $255,595 | Nurse $116,141 |
| Boston, MA | $174,490 | $311,219 | Nurse $136,729 |
| London, UK | £104,229 | £101,944 | Nurse +$2,285 |
| Toronto, Canada | CA$171,863 | CA$294,137 | Nurse $122,274 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Nurse Practitioner or Physician (General Practice) earn more?+
A Physician (General Practice) earns more on average. The national median salary for a Nurse Practitioner is $132,300/year, compared to $244,180/year for a Physician (General Practice) — a difference of $111,880 (85%).
Which has better career growth — Nurse Practitioner or Physician (General Practice)?+
Nurse Practitioner roles are growing at 40% YoY while Physician (General Practice) demand is growing at 5% YoY. Nurse Practitioner has stronger near-term demand growth.
Can you switch from Nurse Practitioner to Physician (General Practice)?+
Yes. Many professionals transition between these roles, especially since both are in the same category. Shared skills include: Diagnosis, EMR.
Which is harder to automate — Nurse Practitioner or Physician (General Practice)?+
Physician (General Practice) has a lower AI automation risk (10% vs 12%). Based on Oxford Martin School and McKinsey 2023 analysis.